The Viral Couch Cleaning Hack From TikTok That Actually Works

I love me some clever life hacks that simplify daily chores, especially when it comes to cleaning! It’s not exactly my favorite way to spend time, but it’s necessary all the same. Recently, a viral couch-cleaning hack on TikTok caught my interest. The hack involved some pretty simple household items: a laundry pod, a pan lid, and some elbow grease. Intrigued by the results I was seeing online, I decided to give my own couch a much-needed refresh.

@anna_louisa_at_home Wait until the end to see the colour of the cloth 👀 viral sofa cleaning hack for a quick refreshen ✨ . Add 1/2 a litre of warm water, 1tbsp of bicarbonate of soda and 1tbsp dish soap into a bowl. Wet and ring out a cloth and tie it around a saucepan lid and scrub the sofa. (Rinse, ring out and re-tie the cloth every couple of when it starts to look discoloured). You’ll be amazed what it can pick up! #cleantok #cleantok101 #cleantoks #cosycleaningclub #tidyhome #cleanhome #mrshinchhome #mrshinchmademedoit #cleanhometips #speedclean #speedcleaning #satisfyingcleaning #satisfyingclean #cleaningproducts #cleaningtipsandtricks #cleaningcreator #cleaningcreatorsconnect #fyp #cleantokuk #cleaninghacks ♬ origineel geluid – e

Here’s How I Did It

Before anything else, my couch needed a good prepping. I vacuumed thoroughly, removing all the crumbs, pet hair, and any dirt hiding in the crevices.

Now, for the cleaning solution—instead of the typical soapy water or laundry pod mixture shown in most videos, I made my own custom blend by mixing white vinegar, baking soda, and hand sanitizer in a bowl with some hot water. Hand sanitizer has a high alcohol content, making it a strong stain remover. Combine that with the acidity of vinegar and the alkaline nature of baking soda, and you’ve got yourself a potent cleaner that tackles tough stains without leaving residue.

I grabbed the sturdiest saucepan lid I could find—definitely not glass, as the pressure required could easily crack it. I wrapped a durable hand towel securely around the lid, making it my oversized scrub brush. The lid’s weight was perfect for applying just the right amount of pressure to really get into those couch fibers.

Dipped in my homemade cleaning concoction, I got down to business. I scrubbed the seat cushions, arms, and back of the couch, watching as the towel lifted dirt and stains with surprising ease. It was satisfying to see the fabric return to its former glory, looking refreshed and clean.

After a thorough scrub, I rinsed the towel and went over everything with clean water to ensure no cleaning residue remained. This step is a must to avoid any sticky or crunchy spots once the couch dries. To speed up the drying, I positioned a floor fan strategically in front of the couch. If you don’t have a fan, you can even go over the couch with a hair dryer at the lowest heat setting. This method is a lot slower, but it works.

The results were remarkable. My couch looked clean, the fabric was soft, and there was no residual smell from the cleaning solution.

Would I Recommend This Hack?

Absolutely! It’s efficient, economical, and uses items you likely already have at home. This method isn’t just effective—it’s also safer for your couch since it avoids soapy residues that attract more dirt over time. While I wouldn’t replace deep cleaning with this hack, it’s perfect for regular refreshes and spot cleaning.

So next time you’re in need of a quick, effective way to spruce up your upholstery, give this hack a try. You might find it as surprisingly effective as I did.